Security guard Stuart Packard died last month aged 40 after being exposed to cancer-causing dust in the aftermath of the 1996 explosion which did not kill anyone at the time but left 212 injured.

He spent three weeks working as an emergency security guard at the Arndale shopping centre after it was hit by the blast from a 3,300lb bomb left ina nearby van.

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FAMILY MAN: The dad-of-two died of mesothelioma - a cancer caused by asbestos

It is believed he came into contact with deadly dust from demolition work following the attack which caused £1.2billion damage.

The dad-of-two died of mesothelioma - a cancer caused by asbestos. He only found out he was ill in March (2015).

His widow Julie said: "If the bomb hadn't happened he would likely still be alive.

"This disease just came back to get him so many years later. "We all live with the threat of terrorism now every day - and it was terrorism all those years ago that caused his tragic death.''

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EXPOSED: He spent three weeks working as an emergency security guard after the bomb hit

Solicitor Peter Williams, who is planning a civil claim on behalf of the family, said: "Mesothelioma usually attacks people at retirement age but

Mr Packard was only 40 when he died which makes this case even more tragic.''

The IRA, which has been fighting for a united Ireland since 1970, phoned in a warning an hour before the bomb went off but it could not be defused in time though much of the surrounding area had been evacuated.

Two hooded man caught on CCTV parking the van on yellow lines have never been caught.